In 1962 singer-songwriter Alex Zanetis enjoyed his first #1 hit song as recorded by crooner Faron Young. The song was called BACKTRACK and it would be the beginning of a 40-year career writing songs for a veritable ďwhoís whoĒ in pop and country music, including:

Son Eric Zanetis began working at the family record label and publishing companies Samos Island Music and Jack OíDiamonds Music while still in high school. Young Zanetis would spend the next 15 years
learning the dynamics of the music business and the art of song writing at his fatherís elbow.

Two unknown singer-songwriters Craig Martin and Larry W. Johnson walked in Ericís office one day and changed the course of music history. With Ericís indomitable spirit and encouragement, they would co-write a string of great songs including DONíT TAKE THE GIRL. Eric pitched the song to the still unknown singer Tim McGraw who immediately fell in love with it. But, DONíT TAKE THE GIRL was not released as a single when radio programmers suddenly started playing it, catapulting the song, its writers, and McGraw to fame. The song became a huge success with no promotion from the record label whatsoever!

ďA great song will promote itself if you just let people hear it!Ē Eric has been known to say.
In this case he was right on the money. The song went on to sell more than 20 million records.

Mack Vickery

Family friend, entertainer and hit songwriter Mack Vickery would join Alex and Eric in starting a new
recording company designed to help professional and amateur songwriters get their songs ready for the
marketplace. This company, originally called Nashville Co-Writerís Association, was the genesis of Eric Zanetis Publishing Company and Diamond Garden Music.

Some of the many hit songs Mack wrote include THE FIREMAN recorded by George Strait, I'LL LEAVE THIS WORLD LOVING YOU recorded by Ricky Van Shelton, and I'M THE ONLY HELL MY MAMA EVER RAISED recorded by Johnny Paycheck. Vickery also wrote songs recorded by Johnny Cash, John Anderson, Tanya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lefty Frizzell, Faron Young, and George Jones.

Troy Martin

Troy Martin is an important adviser and coach to many new songwriters. He has already written songs that have been recorded by a dozen major recording artists including three #1 hits: George Straitís BABYíS GOTTEN GOOD AT GOODBYE, Rick Trevinoís SHE CANíT SAY I DIDNíT CRY, and Jeff Carsonís NOT ON YOUR LOVE.

Troyís brother Tony is also a highly-accomplished songwriter with songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Billy Currington, Sara Evans, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and many others.

Itís all in the family because Troy and Tony's father Glenn Martin wrote the classic hits IF WE'RE NOT BACK IN LOVE BY MONDAY for Merle Haggard, STATUE OF A FOOL for Jack Greene, IS ANYBODY GOIN' TO SAN ANTONE for Charley Pride, and IT'S NOT LOVE BUT IT'S NOT BAD for Marty Robbins, among others.

Troy wrote our newest song MARGARITA MARGARITA with Marty Brown. Marty also wrote the #1 hit IíM FROM THE COUNTRY (AND I LIKE IT LIKE THAT) for Tracy Byrd. Marty was a second place finisher on 2013 Americaís Got Talent. MARGARITA MARGARITA is just now hitting radio.

Troy brings his broad experience and prodigious talent to our team.

It is easy to see why we are called a family-operated publishing company.